It started at Dulles Airport, and it was a slow start. To quote the captain. "We are sorry for the delay, one of the passengers who checked in and checked luggage has not made i to the plane. We will take off as soon as we get their luggage off the plane." GOOD CALL!!

Sad to say, it was during this long flight to the east that KLM knocked Lufthansa of the top spot as worse international carrier I know. They were friendlier than Lufthansa, but the seats were extremely uncomfortable. Once we landed, Schiphol made it's opening bid to be considered the rudest airport in the world. That was the bad... all else was GREAT!!

Why? To get some tickets to the Dutch National Ballet! Really... me.. the ballet. Sheez. A local magazine said "Pulchinella" was playing, and Michele wanted to see it. It was almost sold out, but we still managed to get some pretty good seats. 

After that we and checked out Rembrandt's house.

After the house, back onto the streets. I think now is a good time to point out one possible reason why Amsterdam seemed so great. There was nothing obvious, I guess you could say it was something in the air.

See, when you see a coffee house, that is not all they sale.Yah, let's see Starbuck's compete with this coffee house. Yep, can you say CONTACT BUZZ!!

Next we hit one of Holland's premier chocolate stores. (Sorry ladies, no pictures) Then we made out way to the Joods Historich Museum, in English, the Jewish Historical Museum. I fear there is little I can say about this place, blame it on falling asleep!! Now even though this place was part of Michele's heritage, she took pity on my stumbling and we went back to the Tropen to check in.

Next, the experienced international traveler passed out, and Michele, that novice international traveler headed over to the Tropen Museum, which strangely enough was located next to the NH Tropen hotel. She got back to the hotel and we headed back to the Amsterdam Muziek Theatre. Now itwas time for Michele to take a nap. She made it through the first act, snored through the second, and was once again revived by the third act began. 

Day 2:

Now a little in sync with local time, we woke up early, and headed into town to get to The Anne Frank House. Even 15 minutes before it opened the line was long. 

It was an interesting experience. Pictures were not allowed, and amazingly, I was one of the few people there who actually paid attention to the warning signs. It is interesting to walk through a world famous place where a young girl hid for two years while the world was torn apart  by war.
It was a learning experience. There were some interesting issues that occurred just before departing, but they are for telling at another time. I will admit I did pick up a copy of her diary before we left. I have never read it, and what better place to get it? Kinda like picking up the "Mists of Avalon" from Glastonbury Abbey.

After the house we did some planned wandering ended up at the Nieuw Kerk (New Church) and checked out an exhibit from the Hermitage on Love. Now Picture of the exhibit were not allowed, but pictures of the church were, and no surprise, it was some impressive architecture.

 City Hall/ the Dam Palace was next. Right next to Nieuw Kerk, it was impressive on the outside, and continued to be so when first you entered. 

Then we went up one level and the WOW factor went up significantly!
     

Just little bits and pieces. I am off to Vienna for a week, so the rest of the tale will have to wait.